Hina Rabbani Khar would not like to be depicted as Fashion Icon

Pakistan's youngest foreign minister Hina made a style-statement with her three-day visit to India. Hina Rabbani Khar, aged just 34, is the first woman to be appointed foreign minister of Pakistan.

Hina, who was only appointed recently after serving as a junior foreign minister since February, has become the face of Pakistani diplomacy at a critical time, despite questions over her youth and inexperience.

Pakistan's youngest foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar might have held the Indian media in thrall with her precious South Sea pearls, Roberto Cavalli shades and Birkin bag, but the media spotlight on her style and fashion statements left her incandescent with rage.

Hina, a headscarf-wearing mother of two daughters, is inevitably compared to Benazir Bhutto, the charismatic female prime minister of Pakistan who was assassinated when trying to regain power in 2007. She reacted angrily to questions pertaining to coverage of her fashion style in leading Indian dailies.

"You see paparazzi are every where. Besides, you (referring to media) should not do such acts," Ms. Khar said, replying to a question at the Lahore airport on her arrival from India.

So irked was she at the question that she refused to take any more questions and left for Islamabad.

During her visit to New Delhi, she was the talk of the town, with the media closely following her fashion accessories.

With the media spotlight focused on her fashion accessories during her recent trip to India, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar wonders whether a man in her position would have attracted similar attention.

The 34-year-old is quite a style icon back in her own country, reveal Pakistan’s noted fashion designers.

The Twitter world reacted strongly to the 34-year-old's upmarket dressing. Some, including actress Gul Panag, gave it a thumbs up, while others questioned the viability of flaunting expensive brands.

Hina Rabbani Khar would not like to be depicted as Fashion Icon

Pakistan's youngest foreign minister Hina made a style-statement with her three-day visit to India. Hina Rabbani Khar, aged just 34, is the first woman to be appointed foreign minister of Pakistan.

Hina, who was only appointed recently after serving as a junior foreign minister since February, has become the face of Pakistani diplomacy at a critical time, despite questions over her youth and inexperience.

Pakistan's youngest foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar might have held the Indian media in thrall with her precious South Sea pearls, Roberto Cavalli shades and Birkin bag, but the media spotlight on her style and fashion statements left her incandescent with rage.

Hina, a headscarf-wearing mother of two daughters, is inevitably compared to Benazir Bhutto, the charismatic female prime minister of Pakistan who was assassinated when trying to regain power in 2007. She reacted angrily to questions pertaining to coverage of her fashion style in leading Indian dailies.

"You see paparazzi are every where. Besides, you (referring to media) should not do such acts," Ms. Khar said, replying to a question at the Lahore airport on her arrival from India.

So irked was she at the question that she refused to take any more questions and left for Islamabad.

During her visit to New Delhi, she was the talk of the town, with the media closely following her fashion accessories.

With the media spotlight focused on her fashion accessories during her recent trip to India, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar wonders whether a man in her position would have attracted similar attention.

The 34-year-old is quite a style icon back in her own country, reveal Pakistan’s noted fashion designers.

The Twitter world reacted strongly to the 34-year-old's upmarket dressing. Some, including actress Gul Panag, gave it a thumbs up, while others questioned the viability of flaunting expensive brands.

TN Police: Stalin was not arrested

Denying that Stalin, son of DMK chief M Karunanidhi was arrested or detained, Tamilnadu police said that he was merely moved as he was obstructing traffic.

Earlier reports said that M K Stalin was detained by police at Tiruvarur. The DMK leader was trying to stage a protest, when police attempted to arrest DMK's Tiruvarur secretary Kalaivanan.

The police had been looking for the DMK functionary in connection with the death of a school student in a road accident in Tiruvarur on Friday.

Mr Stalin had reportedly demanded an arrest warrant or FIR copy before the arrest, and it was then that he was taken into detention.

The DMK had given the call for boycott of schools and colleges to press for implementation of the Uniform System of School Education (Tamil: Samacheer Kalvi), introduced by the Karunanidhi regime.

The AIADMK Government is engaged in a legal battle after it decided to defer implementation of the scheme citing its "lack of quality".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa yesterday (29-July-2011) blamed the DMK protest for leading to the death of the boy and charged Kalaivanan with instigating his party workers to prevent students from attending classes.

Student's death

Police registered a case against Mr. Kalaivanan in connection with the death of Vijay of Manjakollai, an eighth standard student of the Government Higher Secondary School, Koradachery. Vijay died on his way home from school on Friday when the government bus in which he was travelling met with an accident.

The children were sent from school after an agitation organised by Mr. Kalaivanan for implementing the Samacheer Kalvi system immediately. Three other students were injured in the accident. Baskar, father of one of the injured students, lodged a complaint with police that Mr. Kalaivanan was responsible for the accident as he (Mr. Kalaivanan) had insisted on the students' boycotting classes.

The police registered cases against Mr. Kalaivanan under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 188 (preventing people from discharging duties), 268 (conspiracy and 506/2 threat to murder.

As the news about the alleged arrest of Mr. Stalin spread, DMK cadres organised demonstrations at various places in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts. They were arrested by the police and later released.

TN Police: Stalin was not arrested

Denying that Stalin, son of DMK chief M Karunanidhi was arrested or detained, Tamilnadu police said that he was merely moved as he was obstructing traffic.

Earlier reports said that M K Stalin was detained by police at Tiruvarur. The DMK leader was trying to stage a protest, when police attempted to arrest DMK's Tiruvarur secretary Kalaivanan.

The police had been looking for the DMK functionary in connection with the death of a school student in a road accident in Tiruvarur on Friday.

Mr Stalin had reportedly demanded an arrest warrant or FIR copy before the arrest, and it was then that he was taken into detention.

The DMK had given the call for boycott of schools and colleges to press for implementation of the Uniform System of School Education (Tamil: Samacheer Kalvi), introduced by the Karunanidhi regime.

The AIADMK Government is engaged in a legal battle after it decided to defer implementation of the scheme citing its "lack of quality".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa yesterday (29-July-2011) blamed the DMK protest for leading to the death of the boy and charged Kalaivanan with instigating his party workers to prevent students from attending classes.

Student's death

Police registered a case against Mr. Kalaivanan in connection with the death of Vijay of Manjakollai, an eighth standard student of the Government Higher Secondary School, Koradachery. Vijay died on his way home from school on Friday when the government bus in which he was travelling met with an accident.

The children were sent from school after an agitation organised by Mr. Kalaivanan for implementing the Samacheer Kalvi system immediately. Three other students were injured in the accident. Baskar, father of one of the injured students, lodged a complaint with police that Mr. Kalaivanan was responsible for the accident as he (Mr. Kalaivanan) had insisted on the students' boycotting classes.

The police registered cases against Mr. Kalaivanan under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 188 (preventing people from discharging duties), 268 (conspiracy and 506/2 threat to murder.

As the news about the alleged arrest of Mr. Stalin spread, DMK cadres organised demonstrations at various places in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts. They were arrested by the police and later released.

Ramadan 2011 Dates, Ramazan, Ramadan Kareem, Ramadan Karim, Ramadhan:"Syrians Planning for Stepped Up Protests During Ramadan"

Ramadan 2011 Dates, Ramazan, Ramadan Kareem, Ramadan Karim, Ramadhan:"Syrians Planning for Stepped Up Protests During Ramadan"

The relentless cycle of protest and crackdown in Syria over the last four months appears poised to enter a new phase in the coming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with activists planning to capitalize on religious rhythms to hold nightly demonstrations despite fears of an even harsher government reaction.

The protesters say it should be easier to gather people since they would ordinarily end their days of fasting and nights of feasting with a visit to mosques for prayers. Their hope is that mobilizing people every day, rather than waiting for large Friday protests, will wear down a government that has so far been able to hang on to support among substantial sectors of the population despite protests that have grown larger and more widespread.

The anticipation of a change in tactic is high enough, and the fear palpable enough, that rumors of the government’s plans abound: most notably that authorities plan to begin a major renovation program at mosques, effectively closing many of them during the holy month, which starts next week.

“People are talking about a very different Ramadan this year,” said Um Janti, a homemaker from Homs, a city with a combustible sectarian mix that has emerged as a flashpoint. “People are saying they will pray on the streets, if mosques get closed. They believe that the reward for dying in Ramadan is far greater.”

Both sides in Syria’s uprising, which erupted in mid-March in the poor southern town of Dara’a, have struggled for momentum. Government officials have regularly said they have the upper hand, even as they failed to quell protests with a fierce crackdown that human rights activists say has killed at least 1,600 civilians. Protesters have also overestimated their abilities, repeatedly speaking of bringing the government down in weeks despite continued backing for President Bashar al-Assad from minorities and the business elite in Damascus, the capital, and in Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. Read More

Hina Rabbani Khar and her 'Fashion Icon' tag

Pakistan's young Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar might have caught New Delhi's imagination, but her depiction in the Indian media as a 'fashion icon' seemed to have irked her.

Hina Rabbani Khar, aged just 34, is the first woman to be appointed foreign minister of Pakistan. Hina, who was only appointed last week after serving as a junior foreign minister since February, has become the face of Pakistani diplomacy at a critical time, despite questions over her youth and inexperience.

She is rich, stylish, and travels the world - so what's the big deal about Pakistan's youngest and first female foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar's Birkin bag, Roberto Cavalli shades and Jimmy Choo heels that were on view during her visit here, ask Indian and Pakistani designers.

Her classic black Hermes' Birkin could cost anything above $10,000-$15,000, her Roberto Cavalli shades cost over $500 and the Jimmy Choo heels over $900.

Karachi-based designer Huma Adnan admits Khar, whose three-day trip to India concluded Thursday (28-July-2011), is one of the most stylish politicians in her country, but finds it strange that there is so much discussion in India over her dressing.

Khar, a headscarf-wearing mother of two daughters, is inevitably compared to Benazir Bhutto, the charismatic female prime minister of Pakistan who was assassinated when trying to regain power in 2007.

She has already attracted widespread attention in the Islamic nation where women seldom feature in public life, and a newspaper picture of her wearing tight jeans caused a shimmer of disapproval.

When Khar landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Tuesday (26-July-2011) for talks with her Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna, her blue ensemble, teamed with a simple string of pearls, oversized handbag and shades grabbed many eyeballs.

An Indian newspaper, while writing about her arrival in New Delhi, said: "her monotone outfit of a blue the colour of the season, tasteful accessories Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, oversized Hermes Birkin bag and glass pearl jewellery added a glamour to her look."

The 34-year-old is quite a style icon back in her own country, reveal Pakistan’s noted fashion designers.

The Twitter world reacted strongly to the 34-year-old's upmarket dressing. Some, including actress Gul Panag, gave it a thumbs up, while others questioned the viability of flaunting expensive brands.

Hina Rabbani Khar and her 'Fashion Icon' tag

Pakistan's young Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar might have caught New Delhi's imagination, but her depiction in the Indian media as a 'fashion icon' seemed to have irked her.

Hina Rabbani Khar, aged just 34, is the first woman to be appointed foreign minister of Pakistan. Hina, who was only appointed last week after serving as a junior foreign minister since February, has become the face of Pakistani diplomacy at a critical time, despite questions over her youth and inexperience.

She is rich, stylish, and travels the world - so what's the big deal about Pakistan's youngest and first female foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar's Birkin bag, Roberto Cavalli shades and Jimmy Choo heels that were on view during her visit here, ask Indian and Pakistani designers.

Her classic black Hermes' Birkin could cost anything above $10,000-$15,000, her Roberto Cavalli shades cost over $500 and the Jimmy Choo heels over $900.

Karachi-based designer Huma Adnan admits Khar, whose three-day trip to India concluded Thursday (28-July-2011), is one of the most stylish politicians in her country, but finds it strange that there is so much discussion in India over her dressing.

Khar, a headscarf-wearing mother of two daughters, is inevitably compared to Benazir Bhutto, the charismatic female prime minister of Pakistan who was assassinated when trying to regain power in 2007.

She has already attracted widespread attention in the Islamic nation where women seldom feature in public life, and a newspaper picture of her wearing tight jeans caused a shimmer of disapproval.

When Khar landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Tuesday (26-July-2011) for talks with her Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna, her blue ensemble, teamed with a simple string of pearls, oversized handbag and shades grabbed many eyeballs.

An Indian newspaper, while writing about her arrival in New Delhi, said: "her monotone outfit of a blue the colour of the season, tasteful accessories Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, oversized Hermes Birkin bag and glass pearl jewellery added a glamour to her look."

The 34-year-old is quite a style icon back in her own country, reveal Pakistan’s noted fashion designers.

The Twitter world reacted strongly to the 34-year-old's upmarket dressing. Some, including actress Gul Panag, gave it a thumbs up, while others questioned the viability of flaunting expensive brands.

Pakistan Foreign Minister: sans progress in trial, CBMs have no relevance | Hina Rabbani Khar Scandal, Hina Rabbani Khar, Hina Rabbani Khar Hot, Hina Rabbani, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani

Pakistan Foreign Minister: sans progress in trial, CBMs have no relevance | Hina Rabbani Khar Scandal, Hina Rabbani Khar, Hina Rabbani Khar Hot, Hina Rabbani, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday told the visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar that in the absence of any ‘worthwhile progress' in the Pakistani courts in the trial of those accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, confidence building measures between India and Pakistan do not have ‘much relevance.'

Ms. Khar also called on L.K. Advani, working chairman of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), to seek the support of the BJP-led alliance for improving relations between India and Pakistan.

Registers protest

A statement issued by the BJP said Ms. Swaraj, in her meeting, registered protest over Ms. Khar's meeting with the separatist leaders of Kashmir.

A statement by the Pakistan Foreign Office said, in her meetings with BJP leaders, Ms. Khar emphasised the importance of the BJP's support for a sustained and result-oriented engagement between the two countries.

She informed the party leaders that there was consensus among all Pakistani political parties to improve relations with India.

“Ms. Swaraj and Mr. Advani said the BJP was in favour of better relations with Pakistan. It was during the BJP government's term that a number of positive developments took place in India's relations with Pakistan,” the statement said. Read More

Foreign ministers of India and Pakistan begin talks

India's external affairs minister SM Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday (27-July-2011) began talks that are expected to culminate in a host of confidence-building measures (CBMs).

While India will talk of eradicating terror in the region, Pakistan is expected to insist on maintaining peace in the area.

The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan are expected to follow a carefully drafted template to take the peace process forward through a 'step-by-step' approach.

In his public welcoming remarks, Mr Krishna said, "India looks forward to a cooperative relationship with Pakistan... it is in the interest of peace not only for our two countries but for the entire region and beyond. Perhaps we owe this to ourselves as well as to succeeding generations."

Ms Khar, who is Pakistan's youngest Foreign Minister, said, "Pakistan sees good friendly and cooperative relations with India as an important neighbour.

"We feel the relationship between the two countries should not be held hostage by the past." She also stressed that officials on both sides must be "respectful of the reality of the two countries."

The meeting comes five months after the South Asian neighbours resumed bilateral discussions.

Talks were suspended after the 2008 Mumbai (Bombay) attacks which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

But earlier this year, leaders vowed to resume their dialogue.

Correspondents say the talks are unlikely to throw up any major policy statements, but they will be another step in improving relations between the neighbours.

Foreign ministers of India and Pakistan begin talks

India's external affairs minister SM Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday (27-July-2011) began talks that are expected to culminate in a host of confidence-building measures (CBMs).

While India will talk of eradicating terror in the region, Pakistan is expected to insist on maintaining peace in the area.

The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan are expected to follow a carefully drafted template to take the peace process forward through a 'step-by-step' approach.

In his public welcoming remarks, Mr Krishna said, "India looks forward to a cooperative relationship with Pakistan... it is in the interest of peace not only for our two countries but for the entire region and beyond. Perhaps we owe this to ourselves as well as to succeeding generations."

Ms Khar, who is Pakistan's youngest Foreign Minister, said, "Pakistan sees good friendly and cooperative relations with India as an important neighbour.

"We feel the relationship between the two countries should not be held hostage by the past." She also stressed that officials on both sides must be "respectful of the reality of the two countries."

The meeting comes five months after the South Asian neighbours resumed bilateral discussions.

Talks were suspended after the 2008 Mumbai (Bombay) attacks which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

But earlier this year, leaders vowed to resume their dialogue.

Correspondents say the talks are unlikely to throw up any major policy statements, but they will be another step in improving relations between the neighbours.

Hina Rabbani Khar حنا ربانی کھر Hina Rabbani Khar Pictures, Hina Rabani Khar Profile, Hina Rabbani Kher

Hina Rabbani Khar حنا ربانی کھر Hina Rabbani Khar Pictures, Hina Rabani Khar Profile, Hina Rabbani Kher

Hina Rabbani Khar (Urdu: حنا ربانی کھر , born 19 January 1977 in Multan, Punjab) is a Pakistani politician and Minister of Foreign Affairs since 20 July 2011. She is Pakistan's youngest and first female Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Hina Rabbani Khar was born on 19 January 1977 in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan. She is the daughter of politician Malik Ghulam Noor Rabbani Khar and niece of Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar. A businesswoman by profession, Hina Rabbani Khar's family has roots in village ‘Khar Gharbi’ located in Kot Addu a Tehsil in Muzaffargarh District in the Punjab province. The Khar political power comes from the family's land holdings: their sprawling estate includes fisheries, mango orchards and sugarcane fields. She graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) from Lahore University of Management Sciences in 1999, and received her M.Sc. in Hotel Management from the University of Massachusetts in 2001.

She was elected as a member of the National Assembly from the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q) in 2002 from the constituency of Muzaffargarh, Punjab. PML-Q denied Hina Khar a ticket for re-election in 2008 and she ran and won as a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

She served as the State Minister for Economic Affairs and Statistics in the cabinet of Yousaf Raza Gillani. On 13 June 2009 she became the first woman to present a budget speech in the National Assembly.

She was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on February 11, 2011, as part of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani's new cabinet.[2] She is the first female Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Pakistan's history. After Shah Mehmood Qureshi was dismissed as Foreign Minister, she became Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs on February 13, 2011. She was officially appointed as foreign minister on 19 July 2011 by President Asif Ali Zardari and was sworn in as permanent Minister for Foreign affairs on 20 July 2011. In a message of felicitation, President Zardari described Ms Khar’s appointment as a demonstration of the PPP government’s “commitment to bring women into the mainstream of national life”. Wikipedia

SSC-Staff Selection Commission Result 2011 – www.ssc.nic.in – Staff Selection Commission – SI CPO | kvs, aol, cricinfo, go2av

SSC-Staff Selection Commission Result 2011 – www.ssc.nic.in – Staff Selection Commission – SI CPO | kvs, aol, cricinfo, go2av

SSC Result 2011 (The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Government of India), below this post will help you to get your SSC Result 2011 online, you can easily check your SSC Result 2011 online via internet, to check your SSC Result 2011 (Staff Selection Commission – SI CPO) read below.

There are many The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Government of India candidates are looking for their SSC Result 2011 if you are one of them then don’t worry because you are on right place. Actually The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Government of India has announced the Result of written examination of Sub Inspector (SI) in Central Police Organizations (CPOs) 2010 for calling the candidates for PET / Medical Examination. As per announcement, SSC Result of SI Written Examination has Published ONLINE at the main official website (www.ssc.nic.in) of Staff Service Commission. The total number of candidates qualified to be called for PET/MET is 34763.

SSC written examination based on the SI Recruitment 2010 – 2011 in CPOs was held on 12.12.2010 on all India basis. Candidates, who had appeared the SSC. Read More

SSC-STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION | kvs, aol, cricinfo, go2av

SSC-STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION | kvs, aol, cricinfo, go2av

CGL (TIER-I) RE-EXAM. 2011 ON 31.7.2011 - NOTICE FOR CANDIDATES

पत्रावली सं0 5/1/2011-क.च.आ.(म.क्षे.)-परीक्षा

कर्मचारी चयन आयोग (म.क्षे.)

सूचना

संयुक्त स्नातक स्तरीय (टीयर-1) परीक्षा 2011 दिनांक 26.06.2011 को मुजफ्‌फरपुर के दो परीक्षा उपकेन्द्रों (द्वारका नाथ हाईस्कूल और राजकीय जिला स्कूल) एवं दरभंगा के एक (सर्वोदय हाईस्कूल) परीक्षा उपकेन्द्र पर प्रातःकालीन सत्र में किन्हीं तकनीकी कारणों से परीक्षा आयोजित नहीं हो पाई थी।

अतः इन तीन उपकेन्द्रों पर पंजीकृत अभ्यर्थियों के लिए उक्त परीक्षा अब दिनांक 31 जुलाई, 2011 (रविवार) को मध्याह्‌न 2.00 बजे से सायं 4.00 बजे तक मुजफ्‌फरपुर के निम्नलिखित उपकेन्द्रों पर आयोजित की जाएगीः

क्रम सं0 परीक्षा केन्द्र का नाम

01 Sri Krishna Jubilee (SKJ) Law College, Gannipur, Muzaffarpur-842001

02 Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Smarak College, Diwan Road, Muzaffarpur

03 Abeda High Schoo, Tinkothia, Muzaffarpur

सभी अभ्यर्थियों को प्रवेष-पत्र डाक द्वारा भेज दिये गये हैं। अभ्यर्थी अपना प्रवेष-पत्र आयोग की वेबसाइट (http://www.ssc-cr.org/cgl_tier_1_2011.php) से डाउनलोड कर सकते हैं।

Egyptian protesters chant pro-Egypt and anti-government slogans in Tahrir square in Cairo July 9, 2011

Egyptian protesters chant pro-Egypt and anti-government slogans in Tahrir square in Cairo July 9, 2011

Thousands of Egyptians Saturday began an open-ended protest in Cairo and other big cities, threatening further action unless the country's military rulers expedite the prosecution of former government officials.

"We give the country's rulers until Sunday night to declare public, real and swift trials for the officials of the toppled regime and the killers of martyrs," the Second Revolution of Rage protest group said on its Facebook page.

"If not, there will be further measures, including a call for civil disobedience," the group wrote.

The protesters are disappointed at the slow pace of judicial proceedings against former president Hosni Mubarak and other officials.

An activist of the April 6 campaign group went on hunger strike in Alexandria, Egypt's second biggest city, to protest what the group considers the authorities' disregard of the "revolution's demands."

Other activists in Cairo and the coastal city of Port Said announced plans to go on hunger strike if their demands were not met.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mansour al-Essawi sacked the security chief in Suez, a restive city east of Cairo, for alleged involvement in aiding the escape of colleagues charged with killing protesters.

Suez has been the scene of violent clashes between police and families of slain protesters in the past few days.

On Friday, Egypt saw mass nationwide protests demanding that former officials - believed to be implicated in a deadly crackdown on demonstrators during the anti-Mubarak revolt - be tried quickly and in public.

The protesters are also pushing for state institutions, mainly the police, to be purged of those deemed loyal to Mubarak.

At least 846 people were killed and more than 6,000 injured in the uprising, according to a fact-finding commission. Read More

South Sudan: The New State of South Sudan

South Sudan: The New State of South Sudan

On Saturday, South Sudan becomes a free and independent country. It is a well-deserved victory for its people. Under a 2005 American-backed political accord that ended two decades of civil war, the people of the mainly Christian territory voted overwhelmingly in January to secede from the Arab Muslim north.

Still, celebrations in the capital, Juba, cannot obscure a sobering truth: building a functional new country will take decades of hard work. Responsibility falls primarily on South Sudan, but also on the United States and the international community that shepherded it.

Africa’s 54th state is at the bottom of the developing world. Most people live on less than $1 a day. More than 10 percent of children do not reach the age of 5. Some 75 percent of adults cannot read.

Meanwhile, festering disputes between north and south are stoking chaos in a land already bloodied by two million deaths in civil war. Sudan on Friday became the first state to recognize South Sudan. Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, author of the murderous war in Darfur, said he would attend the festivities in Juba. But he also said he would continue the fight that erupted last month against forces loyal to the south in South Kordofan, an oil-rich region still under Khartoum’s control. Mr. Bashir’s decision to order the United Nations to withdraw peacekeepers from South Kordofan is deeply worrisome.

Major elements of the 2005 peace agreement are unresolved — such as which side will control the oil-rich region of Abyei, where fighting has also broken out; citizenship protections for minorities; where final borders will be set; how oil earnings will be shared (the south has 70 percent of the reserves).

The two sides are dependent on each other. South Sudan needs the north’s pipeline to get its oil to market. Sudan needs oil money to help pay its bills. Both need foreign investment and the north needs debt relief. They have a better chance of winning international support if they are at peace.

As an incentive, the United States and its partners have offered to convene an international conference in September for South Sudan. That will allow South Sudan’s leaders to present their plans for encouraging desperately needed private investment. Washington gave Juba $300 million for education and housing and is promising more. International assistance should go forward only if South Sudan works constructively with Khartoum to bring stability to both countries.

The Obama administration, correctly, is not taking Sudan off its terrorism list and normalizing relations until Khartoum fulfills the peace deal and ends the conflict in Darfur. China, Sudan’s main oil investor and arms supplier, should deliver a similar message to Mr. Bashir, who is under war crimes indictment, instead of receiving him with fanfare in Beijing and promising him new oil deals. The international community must persuade the two sides to avoid war and work to build a future for both Sudans. Read More

Ngee Ann Poly; New chairman for Ngee Ann Poly council

Ngee Ann Poly; New chairman for Ngee Ann Poly council

SEMBCORP Industries chief executive Tang Kin Fei will become chairman of the Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) council from Friday.

Mr Tang, who is also SembCorp's group president, will take over from Mr Tan Hup Foi, 61, who has been at the helm since 2004.

Mr Tang, 60, a member of the NP council since last year, is also deputy chairman of International Enterprise Singapore, a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council and president of the Singapore Water Association.

The NP council, the governing and executive body of the polytechnic, comprises 18 members, including representatives from the Government, educational institutions, industry and the Ngee Ann Kongsi.

Each term of office is three years.

NP principal Chia Mia Chiang, 58, said Mr Tan's 'wise counsel and constant encouragement have spurred us to work hard. Over the past 7� years, we have successfully introduced many new platforms for our students to develop their talents and pursue their aspirations.' Read More

Thailand election: By the numbers, graphic, via Thailand’s Election Commission

Thailand election: By the numbers, graphic, via Thailand’s Election Commission

a graphic, via Thailand’s Election Commission, that the Bangkok Post ran with a Thitinan Pongsudhirak column yesterday.

No one haunts and hovers over Thailand’s political landscape like Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thailand Election 2011,Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand Election

Thailand Election 2011,Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand Election

Thailand's Election: A Test of Its Fragile Democracy

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's exiled former Prime Minister, likes to compare himself to Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's pro-democracy movement. Both are in conflict with their country's military-backed leaders. But that's where the similarities end. Suu Kyi is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, whereas Thaksin backed two violent anti-government protests. Suu Kyi spent more than decade under house arrest for her political convictions, while Thaksin fled rather than do time for corruption. Suu Kyi is a champion of democracy, Thaksin's critics call him an autocrat.

But as Thailand heads toward a national election this weekend, Thaksin looks set to get a new lease on his political life. The Pheu Thai party, which he controls from Dubai, is poised to defeat incumbent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party. And the person he can thank for that turnaround is the woman he hand-picked to lead and who may become Thailand's first female prime minister: Yingluck Shinawatra — his youngest sister.

Although Yingluck Shinawatra has never held office, the 44-year old executive has emerged as this election's brightest political star. She either carries the sheen of the Shinawatra name or the taint of Thaksin, depending upon a Thai's political point of view. Many aren't sure what to think; Polls show between 20% and 40% of voters remain undecided. The split reflects lingering anger about the violent protests that rocked Bangkok last year. To sway voters, Yingluck has cast herself as a pacifist: "As I am a female I do not encourage violence. I will unite Thailand,'' she told Time.

Indeed, Yingluck displays none of her brother's notorious temper. With her soft physicality, photogenic looks and ever-present smile, she has the aura of the "good girl" that so many Thais root for in television soap operas. "Her gender, in Thailand's male-dominated politics, also serves to take the edge off her party's portrayal as representing a dangerous autocratic extreme,'' says Hasan Basar, the founder of Bangkok Public Relations.

Although her opponent, Oxford-educated Abhisit, also has soap-star looks, he is backed by the military. Top generals haven't been shy about urging voters to elect what they call "good people," a euphemism for non-Pheu Thai candidates. The military's involvement "drives people away," says Pavin Chachavalpongpun of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies in Singapore. "They don't appreciate the direct intervention in politics.'' It also sets up a dynamic reminiscent of Burmese politics, where powerful generals appear to bully 'The Lady.' Yingluck certainly isn't Aung San Suu Kyi, but the narrative could sway some of the undecided.

If it doesn't, Yingluck and her party are offering voters a raft of goodies: free tablet computers for one million students, a guaranteed rice price, credit cards for farmers and taxi drivers, and debt moratoriums. Economists worry that the programs will create unmanageable levels of government debt. The Democrats are offering their own populist package, but it pales in comparison to Pheu Thai's giveaways.

Although much is still unknown, most analysts predict that Pheu Thai will win the most seats but not an outright majority in Thailand's 500-seat House of Representatives. In that case, the military may lobby smaller parties to join a Democrat-led coalition government. Even if Pheu Thai wins an outright majority, or succeeds in putting together a coalition, uncertainty may persist. Victors have been disqualified in the past. "If the traditional elite decide to overturn the results, a new round of violent conflict may start,'' says Pavin.

As Prime Minister Yingluck could also generate conflict by granting her exiled brother amnesty, allowing him to return to Thailand. She's vowed to clear anyone charged with political crimes in the aftermath of the 2006 coup, including her brother. "That would be a mistake,'' says Pavin. Yingluck has now back-tracked, saying only that a committee will consider amnesties. Few, however, believe she won't facilitate her brother's return. "For a Thai, where family bonds and loyalty are extremely important, it is perfectly natural and 'right' for her to do as her older brother would want her to do,'' says Hasan.

The country is so politically polarized that some prominent Thai columnists express fear of a civil war between Thaksin camp (the rural and urban poor in the north and northeast, the Red shirts and those who oppose the military meddling in politics) and anti-Thaksin factions (the Democrat Party, the military, members of the conservative establishment, middle class voters, southerners, monarchists, and the Yellow Shirts). Jon Ungpakorn, a former Senator, warns of a "long and violent civil war." "The next opportunity for reconciliation may well not arrive again for many years," he wrote.

In that sense, Sunday's election may be the easy part. With so many post-vote scenarios and warring factions, the future of Thailand, once regarded as the most stable country in Southeast Asia, looks anything but bright. Read More

Lee Kuan Yew* (Founder Of Singapore, World S Largest Ferris Wheel, Founder Singapore, Singapore Founder, Largest Ferris Wheel)

Lee Kuan Yew* (Founder Of Singapore, World S Largest Ferris Wheel, Founder Singapore, Singapore Founder, Largest Ferris Wheel)

Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew's failure

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Any Singapore observer would agree, despite all the embellishments in the state controlled press to make it look pretty, the island today is not only in a very bad shape, it is on a tailspin of decline with any recovery impossible.

For a crowded island of about 3 million native born and another 2 million principally Mandarin speaking Chinese from their Communist country, you already have massive brain drain of locals of as many as 1,000 per year. The rate of marriage has dropped below what it was even in 2009 and is the lowest, the birth rate is even lower than what it was in 2005 and declining further and suicides are at the highest. Foreign permanent residents have angered the Minister Mentor because they refuse to have families in Singapore, and has threatened to revoke their permanent residencies.

You don't need to have a PhD to know the reasons for a seemingly successful nation state to suffer from these happenings. It is because Lee Kuan Yew has failed to understand you cannot make a nation out of minions and secondly, you cannot do it through fear either.

By his own admission Lee has told us that if he was not feared he is nothing. In other words he needs you to be afraid and submit to him. Fear never produced the best results from anyone. Teachers who are afraid never taught well, lawyers who were afraid never were good lawyers and the same with every other occupation. You never got the best through fear, not in Singapore nor in Nazi Germany either.

Second minions as he is surrounded with never made good leaders. Teo Chee Hean, his deputy, is not primarily working for the best of the nation. He is working first to protect his patronage from his master Lee Kuan Yew for the millions he receives and only second does he care for anyone else. It is the same with all the other bootlickers, K Shanmugam his Minister of for Law, Vivian Balakrishnan, who is responsible for the flooding in the island state and the same with his other disgraceful characters.

On the other hand Chee Soon Juan, the opposition politician who has been jailed and bankrupted by Lee Kuan Yew fights for his people. For him demonstrably Singaporeans come first and not his pocket. What Lee needs are men like Chee Soon Juan, true sons of Singapore who will do good for Singpaore, not these butt kissers and bootlickers that Lee Kuan Yew has with him.

Is it too late for Lee Kuan Yew to reverse the damage? Yes it is too late. Civic responsibility is not something you can turn on and off as you please. Singaporeans today are tired of his policies, 52 years of it, that they have switched off completely. Today even if he tried, he is not going to get them out of their indifference and apathy. Remember the 2 child policy of the past. It was wrong. And today regardless of how much he tries there are no children.

Lee Kuan Yew is like a VFR pilot who has flown into the clouds when he should not. Now he is flying blind, lost his bearings and the visibility is getting worse. Either he is going to run into a hillside and crash or he is going to run out of fuel. Either way, it is the end for him and Singapore.

Gopalan Nair
Attorney at Law
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/

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Narendra Modi ridicules Centre's decision to remove 25 paise coins

The decision of Indian govt to put 25 paise coins put of circulation has been ridiculed by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday June 29.

Modi said the Centre was increasing fuel prices with impunity and could not ask the state governments to cut taxes.

“They increase oil prices with impunity and tell states to eliminate taxes, but we will (electorally) eliminate them with help of the people,” Modi said.

He said when the people joined their voice with the yoga expert Baba Ramdev for the demonetisation of thousand rupee notes, which was the only way to unearth black money, the Centre responded by stopping 25 paise coins. This reflected, he said, the Centre's lack of desire to fight against black money.